Acts ii. 44 — 47. And all that believed were together, and had all things common ; and sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need. And they, continuing daily tvith one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat ivith gladness and singleness of heart, praising God, and having favour toith all the people. Arid the Lord added to the Church daily such as should be saved.
THE true nature of Christianity would be very imperfectly discovered by any one who should look for it in the conduct of the Christian world. The generality of those who name the name of Christ, differ but little from those who never heard of his name. And even among those who profess a regard for religion, there is but a small measure of that spirit which may be discerned among the early converts. In the Churches of this day will be found a form of godliness, but very little of its power. We must go to the Scriptures, and to the accounts given us of the first Christians, to see what vital religion is. There we behold it in all its purity. Let us contemplate it as exhibited by those who were converted on the day of Pentecost. In our text we may behold, I. Their charity —
This was more extensive than any that can be found on record in the annals of the world. A few individuals perhaps may be found, who have evinced an unbounded love towards those who had long been connected with them in the ties of friendship : but here the whole body of believers were animated by the same spirit towards each other, even towards those whom they had never so much as seen till that hour : all were divested of every selfish feeling, and sacrificed their own personal interests for the good of the whole.
But here arises an important question ; " Is their conduct in this particular a model for our imitation?" I answer,